The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-16
WASITAClSE OF MURDER?
SINGULAR OCCURRENCE IN THE
VICINITY OF BRUNSWICK.
Revivlng From One StupOr, an Old
Nan Takes q Cap OF Coffee
and Dies.

From q gentleman residing In the
neighborhood, who visited the city
yesterday, particulars of diabolical
murder near Brunswick last week
were learned. Living about three
miles south Of the town was q highly
respected and universally liked old
gentleman ramed Joshua Hardin. One
night last week about midnight DR..
W. ID. Bond. of Brunswick, was cum
moned TO attend the old gentleman,
who wss said TO be very III. For com.
pany on the gloomy ride, and also as
al assistant In the case, he took with
him young physician named Stew.
art. When they arrived at Hsrdin's
house he was found in O profound
stupor, breathing heavily and appsr-
emily near death. Every symptom
pointed to some strong opiate or
poison. Without wasting time on in
Quiries, but with q determination TO
investigate after final result in the
case before them, the physicians i'm.
media,ely went to work, administer
ing antidotes and walking the patient
about. This was continued until day
light, when sufficient improvement
had taken place to allow Hardin to be
questioned. He was, therefore, gently
placed upon the bed, and all save
he and the two physicians required TO
leave the sick room. Questions con-
corning his habits, mode OF living,
ETC., were askel, among them being
one whether or not he had taken any
opiste or strong drug Of any kind. He
replied that he hsd not, and seemed
surprised at the implied suspicion OF
poisoning The doctors were nom
plussed az the complaint, but coneratu-
lated themselves upon having brought
the patient around all right.
To further arouse and strengthen
him, Mrs. Hardin WAS told TO prepare
and bring her husband cup OF coffee.
The request was complied with cheer
fully, to all appearances, and with
great alacrity. She suon returned, and
Hordin swallowed tbs entire contents
of the cup. A startling effect bscame
manifest within a short time. The
victim rapidly grew drowsy, and
despite the most strenuous efforts Of
the doctors, sank into another heavy
supor. They worked faithfully with
him all day, but all to no purpose,
and that night he died without any
intermediate sign OF consciousness.
DR.. Bond and his assistant returned
to Brunswick and related the singular
case, but were not sufficiently satisfied
to construe the death nor the result OF
poison administered with murderous
intent. Indeed, as yet this Ia matter
for future determination. The follow
ing facts, however, give 1t that signiti-
canoe:
Thirty-six years sgo Hardin married
widow 0'Quinn. She had two chill
dren by her frat husband, both boys.
The latter grew up into wild, reckless
and troublesome men, and the result
was constant family disturbances. The
stepfather had a disposition directly
opposite that OF the two boys and their
mother, and the three generally ar
rayed themselves sgainst him with
singular unanimity whenever the &C.
Casion arose. This led to disruption a
few mouths since, and the boys were
ordered from the houee. They left,
with threats which BODIED no good
for Hardin, but only went q
short distance. Whenever the old
gentlemen left home, they visited
the house and stole a1ything they
wanted, and Ia this way kept his larder
we'll nigh empty.
One day Mrs. Hardin left home on a
visit, and while absent a letter, ad-
dressed to her by her son, Allen
0'Q1inn, was received. Hardin opened
and read it, the contents being Twice
to his mother to "livs with the old
hog short time longer" until he
could make arrangements to take her
from him. This alarmed Hardin, and
he took the letter, together with one
hp had written to The boys command.
ing hem to keep away from his place,
and wnich had been returned, to q |
gentleman friend named r A, Sneed, |
living nj Brunswick. To Snead he 70.
lated he story Of his domestic trou blee
and fears of iojury, concluding with a
requeot to keep the letters and II harm
came to him (Hardin) the source
might be known.
This was only short time before
The scenes enacted which called for
A singular fact connected
with Hardin's frat spell was that his
wife allowed him to rem ain In stuper
Tor eight or ten houra hafore aha sent
or medical assistance. The physicians
IRE confident the coffee was poisoned,
)ut whether with malice and murder
,uB designs is not fully determined.
The entire neighborhood Is aroused,
he excitement extends to Brunawick,
md the matter will, in all:probabillty,
,ome before the courts at an early day.
Hardin was eighty years of age, but
lctive, hearty, free from all physical
Of any sort, and popular with
lve,yone. His vile had been widow
hree years when they were married.
JOKIN1 A JEWRLER.